Trip Down Memory Lane: Summer Vacations & Road Trips

I remember when I was 3 years old we went to visit grandparents in Tennessee. It was my first fishing trip; the first vacation I remember. (My older sister on the left, Me on the right.)

Growing up, we pretty much always had summer vacations. I remember my parents starting in the winter to plan out our summer vacation. I remember my dad would bring home brochures, and they would discuss and decide and then announce to the 7 of us the plan. My father's top dresser drawer was ALWAYS full of brochures of places he wanted to go. Don't know if it still is, now that we have the Internet, but it was quite the collection back then. Sometimes our vacation was visiting relatives in Tennessee or going fishing in the U.P. of Michigan. And sometimes it was a "big deal" like visiting Canada and Niagara Falls. Most of the time, though, money was tight for our family of nine, so our summer getaway was simply a weekend of camping. I have fond memories of Turkey Run State Park as well as other camping trips. And of course, no matter where we went, we always traveled by car.

"I don't always enjoy roadtrips NOW because..." (CONs)

• I hate being the only adult driver.
• I hate driving in bad weather
• I hate trying to stay awake, or worse, having to take a "cat-nap" at a truck stop. (too vulnerable)
• Sometimes the kids get restless and get on each other's (or my) nerves
• With kids we have to make more pit-stops along the way, thus adding a little more time here or there.
• It is a reminder that I no longer work for the airlines, therefore giving up my free-flight benefits.
• I worry if my vehicle will make it, or if I breakdown in the middle of nowhere.
• As a single mom, I feel a little more vulnerable while traveling or camping.

"But...I also like Road Trips because..." (PRO's)

• They bring back memories from when I was little.
• I love seeing new places along the way.
• I enjoy "scenery".
• I get to eat junk-food to keep me awake!
• I like the "bonding" with the kids...(even though now they watch dvd's and have ipods, etc).
• I like planning my routes, and gauging my time and feel a sense of accomplishment when I am "making good time".
• I have a great sense of direction and rarely miss a turn. So, I guess I feel like it's something I'm "good" at.
• It feels like an adventure, and I love adventure.
• I know that there is another adventure waiting for me when I get "there".

How about you? Do you enjoy roadtrips? What are YOUR pro's & con's?

One Nation, Under God

Feeling patriotic? Well, if not, hopefully you will after our Bloggy Spring Break Trip to our Nation's Capital Washington D.C.


This is another weekend getaway trip that I planned for us. This one was back about 7 or 8 years ago. We arrived on a Thursday night, toured all day Friday, all day Saturday and just a wee bit Sunday morning before heading back. There is tons of walking involved (unless you take an all-inclusive bus tour) so we did not take our children who were all under eight years old at the time. There is definitely way more to do than we crammed in, in one tiny weekend. The main thing to do is pick the main events you want to do and then fill in with the smaller ones that are close by or convenient.


Because there is so much to do in our Nation's capital, I am basically going to give you a few of my personal tips and the rest will be a pictoral adventure.


Tip#1:

When selecting your hotel, pick one that has both a free shuttle to and from the airport as well as one to a nearby Metro station. I highly suggest this as it is so much cheaper and faster than taxi cabs or buses. You will then be able to take the Metro with ease to get to all of the events and attractions you would like.


Tip#2:

Visit the Theater where Lincoln Was shot, as well as the Peterson home across the street (where he died) very first thing in the morning as these two homes have no air conditioning. In extreme weather conditions these attractions will be closed.

Tip #3:

Visit air conditioned museums (Such as the J. Edgar Hoover/FBI building) during the hottest part of the day, usually between 12-2pm, to avoid heat exhaustion.

Tip #4:

Save the monuments for dusk or early evening. You will avoid the larger crowds and plus, it's pretty to see them lit up at night. It's not a sight you usually get to see in photos.

Enjoy!

The Ford Theater - Where Lincoln was shot.

The bed in the Peterson House where Lincoln was carried and later died.

We wanted to take a picture of the White House but there was some Press Conference or something going on and they were starting to get ready for it. There were tons of people and tons of black cars pulling up all over it. If I remember correctly, it was something to do with stem cell research. I don't know... like I said it was 7 or 8 years ago. Anyway, I couldn't get a good shot of the White House. Here's a shot of the guard shack though...

And if you have a good lens and stick it through the gates, you can get a good side view of various VIP's coming in and out (though I admit, I don't know who this is...)

The National Space Museum...

The Smithsonian Castle has the most beautiful grounds, even if you get their too late for the tour (doh!)...

You cannot go to D.C. without visiting Memorial Park... and like I said, try going at night. Oh and if you have family whose names are on the wall, take paper and pencil to rub over their names on the wall.

Jefferson Memorial...

The Lincoln Memorial...

The Washington Monument was closed for renovations when we were there, so we couldn't go inside up to the top. I had been there before when I was 14. Nonetheless, seeing the outside was just as grand.

Sunday Morning, before heading off to the airport, we went over to the Arlington Cemetery. I think it is the perfect time to go. It is peaceful and quiet and reflective. You must go visit the tomb of the Unknown Soldier and you must witness the changing of the guards. It gets me every time.

Breathtaking, isn't it?

Frisky in Frisco

Well, not really. But I did want a clever title for our Bloggy Spring Break Trip to San Francisco today!

Back in 2004 I planned a weekend getaway to the lovely bay area. This, by no means, will tell you everything there is to do there. This is just what WE decided to do, and what MY preferences were. This was a weekend trip that I planned when I was married, for our ten-year anniversary. It was about 5 years ago, so "prices and terms may vary" from what they are today.

First of all, I decided that we would stay at an airport hotel because it was cheapest, and we could just take the BART everywhere else we wanted to go. It wasn't worth it for us to rent a car, plus I knew parking would be a constant battle. I knew that we would spend some time down at the Wharf, some time in China Town and in Union Square, since there was an art show at Union Square that same weekend.

Well - Let me just say that I loved the Wharf sooooo much, we ended up spending about 90% of the time there. I remember practically running through Union Square, glancing at the art and thinking, "yeah. nice art. let's get back to the Wharf." So, if I ever went again, I would be willing to shell out the extra cash to stay at a hotel on the Wharf the entire time, verses buying the day passes on the BART and spending each morning and night worrying about schedules and connections. Enough said about that...

As mentioned, we did stop at Union Square. This is the shopping district. And when I say "shopping" I mean like Bloomingdales and Nieman Marcus type shopping. Well, I didn't see a need to spend that sort of money (which I didn't have anyway). Mostly, I wanted to relax and buy things for the kids. I figured if I wanted to spend money on overpriced clothing, I could do that just as easily at home.



Alcatraz - If it is your first time to San Francisco, I would definitely recommend this tour. It's a short ferry ride out to the island. We did the "tour" with the headset, and it was worth it in my opinion. You could sort of walk the grounds at your own pace, with your own "personal guide" (the headset). Plus I liked hearing all of the the facts and details. Without the headset, it probably would have just seemed like I was walking around an old jail. The views are gorgeous from here too.

I'd also say if it's your first time, you have to ride a cable car at least once. We almost gave up as the lines to ride one were always sooooo long. However, once we were in China Town, we happened upon a line that wasn't too long. So we hopped on the trolly and rode on over to the Wharf.
Oh - and by the way, when we were in China Town, it was an affirmation that we made the right move in not renting a car. Traffic was crazy and double-parking seemed to be the norm. Lunch there was extremely cheap, however. Though, I don't know for the life of me what I was eating (please tell me it wasn't squid. I'm going with chicken.)

Things we did down at Fisherman's Wharf in addition to taking the Alcatraz tour...

Of course we had to eat at the famous In & Out Burger. I had a #1 Combo with a Neapolitan Shake. It was good. Oh - and you had the option of ordering your fries without salt. I thought it was a little unusual, but thoughtful of them, nonetheless. (By the way, we are getting an In & Out Burger here soon! Whoo hoot!)

We also had to come here... to the Original Ghirardeli Factory at Ghirardeli Square. We did a little shopping for what else but chocolate. We sampled a little, and took the rest home for the kids.

I have to tell you this story. Outside there was a man, missing a leg, sporting an old Hawaiian shirt playing songs on his guitar for money. Just as we were walking out of the factory out I hear him say, "Are you ready kids?" So, as if it were a natural reflex (honestly, I don't know what made me do it), I turn around and say, "Aye Aye, Captain." Tourists around us stop and look, wondering if this had been arranged. The transient on the guitar then says, "I can't heeeeear you!" I again say, "Aye Aye, Captain!" He then begins to play and sing, "Who lives in a pineapple under the sea?" I sing back, "Sponge Bob, Square Pants." He sings, "Absorbent and yellow and porous is he?" by this time the crowd gets it and joins in, "Sponge Bob Square Pants!" And thus the fun began. Of course we drew a big crowd. At the end, I went to give him a few dollars. He refused, saying that I had drew him the biggest crowd of the day and that was payment enough. Sweet, huh?

The street artists down at the wharf are very entertaining. However, don't plan to take their picture unless you plan to pay. That's right. This is how many of them make their living. There are men painted in silver and gold who look like statues. There are some who make paintings in just minutes using blank canvases and cans of spray paint. There are the musicians, such as the Hawaiian, legless transient.

The funniest one I saw was called the "Bush Man". This man disguises himself as a bush and stands still for several seconds at a time. Then, he jumps out and scares unknowing tourists. It's quite funny to watch.

There are also tons of vendors that sell souvenirs. The street vendors down at the wharf is where we found the best priced items to take home to our kids. T-shirts were 3 for $10 in most cases.

Food - there are tons of good places to eat down at the Wharf too. There are little cafes, sandwich shops, cart vendors and the like. One place I would definitely suggest if you love kitchy-theme places is here:

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. - This place, if you haven't guessed is based on the movie Forrest Gump. The food is awesome and comes in huge portions. We each ordered an entree and shared. The place is all decked out Forrest Gump style too, and each time the waiter or waitress comes to the table be prepared to answer a trivia question from the movie.

If you're going to be down at the Wharf anyway, you must stop and visit the sea lions at Peir 39. Following the earthquake of '89, the sea lions began arriving at pier 39 in groups of between 10-50. The were looking for refuge and because of the amount of herring and the amount of dock space pier 39 offered, they sort of assumed it as their new home. Warning, they do smell, and their "barks" are noisy. It's like a barnyard, but they are fun to watch. Sometimes you'll even see a few pick a fight or two, just like any other set of siblings. They say there are over 300 Sea Lions there today.

One of the last things we did was take a little boat ride out to the Golden Gate Bridge. Down at one end of the Wharf we noticed several boat owners that offered rides out to the bridge. We found one that went every hour on the hour and it was $10 per person. So we went. Of course, trying to catch a day without fog in San Francisco is almost impossible, and the water is choppy, but the ride was still worth it.

Not Just a Hole In the Wall

Today for our Bloggy Spring Break Trip, I am taking all of you to one of my most relaxing trips ever! Be prepared to enjoy the views!

Last October I took a little weekend getaway up to Jackson Hole, WY. It was last minute, and thankfully I have great friends and neighbors that were willing to take my kids. How cool are they??? I had never been to Jackson before and may I just tell you how FAB-U-LOUS it was? If it weren't for my children, I wouldn't have come home. Well...all right, I would have, but for the record - I didn't want to.

Anyway, first of all let me tell you about where I stayed. It was this awesome resort called Spring Creek Ranch . I would love to stay there again, and would recommend it to anyone. I should have taken a pic of my room, but this one (below) from their website will do. Except replace the chair in the corner with a big comfy one. Oh - and there was a huge rustic fireplace, which was perfect for the chilly fall nights. Also the tub, though not jetted, was a good, deep, soaker tub, and I just HAD to soak both nights. I was going to call down for a massage, but ended up taking a 5 hour nap instead! I guess I was a little tired. Some of the rooms overlook the Grand Tetons. I'm tellin' ya... those views - killer!
I got in too late for dinner Thursday night (because it was off-season), so drive-thru Wendy's it was. Friday morning (pre-nap) I ate breakfast at Bubba's which was oh-so-totally-awesome. I had the Spanish Omelettes with grits and whole wheat toast. I also had a bite of their French Toast and it was to die for! The portions were HUGE - even the Half-portions. So worth every penny! I don't know if their BBQ is any good, but I'd recommend breakfast there anytime.

After a late breakfast I did some reading, followed by the famous 5 hour nap. I woke up in time for dinner! Dinner was at this great little Thai restaurant called "Bon Appe Thai". The Pad Thai was awesome as was the yellow curry. Mmmm! Making me hungry just thinking about it.

Then it was off to the town square. Of course many people think of the antler arches on each corner of town square when they think of Jackson.
Pretty cool, I guess. Here's a pic (from my camera phone) with it lit up at night.

They also have a web cam that overlooks town square. It's updated every 15 seconds or so. Pretty Cool! Jackson Town Square Web Cam (click here)

There are also a lot of cool shops around town. I mostly just peeked into the windows and enjoyed the "stroll". One of the funnest windows to look through was the Cowboy Bar. I did refrain from putting my camera phone up to the window and taking a pic of the tall-haired waitress though. I didn't want to scare the customers.
Saturday morning I was too late for Breakfast at Bubba's, but Jedediah's Original House of Sourdough serves breakfast till 2 pm!!! Whoo-Hoo! I had myself some "SourJacks" as well as eggs and toast. It was sooooo good. And they make their own Olallieberry Jam (they have the berries imported from Oregon). It was really good on the sourdough pancakes.

It was so much fun and very relaxing. It was just what I needed. I decided I really could live there! Too bad the only thing for sale in my price range is a 3 week-outta-the-year time share. Oh - but there was this 1 Bed, 1 Bath, 604 Sq Ft condo for only $350,000. (Yeah - Right!)

Anyway - it was awesome and fun and relaxing and beautiful! I loved the small-town atmosphere and even the touristy qualities (reminds me of home). But not stuffy like other over-priced ski towns. It's very laid back - cowboy hats and all. Maybe next time I go it will be a little warmer and I'll do a run down the river. That'd be awesome! Thanks to my friend for the invite!!!

Hope all of you bloggy-friends enjoyed the "trip" as much as I did. Be sure to come back tomorrow for our third Spring Break Trip! We'll probably head on over to the West Coast, so pack accordingly!

Introducing Home

Today, we are taking a bloggy trip back home, to MY hometown in Middlebury, IN. I will tell you about some of the stuff in my home town, and in the surrounding areas too.

If you have any interest in Amish Country, this is it. Good food, one of the largest flea markets in the Midwest, and lots of hometown goodness. That's home.

When outsiders think "Amish" they usually think of Lancaster County, PA. However Northern Indiana is now among the largest of all Amish communities. There are actually two main towns you want to visit. You want to come to my hometown, Middlebury, and the neighboring town, Shipshewana. The locals refer to Shipshewana as "Shipshe" (pronounced Ship-Shee). The area is also referred to as "Crystal Valley" because there are lots of rolling hills and during the winter, the snow sparkles like crystal.

And here's a tip before I forget. When shopping for "Amish Goods" such as jellies, jams, breads, throw rugs, quilts, furniture, etc. Look for roadside shops or shops in Amish homes. You will most likely get a better deal here than shopping at the touristy boutiques in town.

Das Dutchman Essenhaus (click here) Translated, this means "The Amish Eating House", or restaurant. You better not pass thru Middlebury without eating lunch or dinner here. They have Menu dining or Family Style. They also have a bakery. However, because the nearby flea market is open on Tues & Weds, I would avoid going these two days or be prepared for a long wait. However, if you do have to there are several shops on their "campus", including a candy shop which is oh so yummy. Or you can do a round of mini-golf across the street while you wait too!

Private Amish Dinner - The above Amish house is my Aunt's & Uncle's. Many Amish Families offer private Amish Dinners in their homes on their farms, as a side business. Not to worry - they comply with the state food service licensing laws. Anyway, my Aunt does this -She provides Authentic Amish Dinners for groups. It is yummy, and you never leave hungry. They serve it Family Style, and each dish is passed around at least twice. So, you can take as much as you want, and of course, homemade Amish pie is the best dessert. You will definitely get your money's worth. The downside is it may not be worth it if you have a bunch of little children. (My kids are good eaters, so it was never a problem.)

Rise 'N Roll Bakery - (click here for more info and address) I ran across this new Amish Bakery two years ago when we were visiting back home. We were on our way to Shipshe for the Flea Market, and I always look for Amish roadside bake sales to get my fix of Whoopie Pies or Shoo Fly Pie, and of course homemade breads. I happened to see this bakery and pulled in. I walked in and guess who I saw??? It was one of my Amish Friends from elementary school. This cute little bakery is owned by my childhood friend, Viola and her husband! How cool is that? Incidentally he sells his handmade furniture at the store as well.

UPDATE: My friend Viola no longer owns the Rise & Roll.  It was purchased by someone else, and moved down the road from it's original location.  Still very good maple rolls.  However, it does have more of a commercial/touristy feel to it.

Country Lane Bakery - (click here for more info & address)  This is one of the best finds ever. Open Tue-Sat, early in the morning, only until late afternoon.  Get their early for best selection of Amish pies, breads and cookies.  I actually love this place better than the Rise 'N Roll.  It's not as crowded or commercialized.  Just a sweet Amish couple running their bakery.  Seriously, the Whoopie Pies, the cinnamon rolls, breads, and other pies are the best here!

Deutsch Kase Haus -(click here for more info) Every time we visit my kids insist on going to the Amish Cheese Factory. I admit, it's one of my favorites too. You can watch cheese making if you get there during the right hours. Also, you can sample every kind of cheese they make. Tip - if you are planning to be out all day, fill a cooler with ice, because you will not want to leave without buying cheese. My favorites are the Colby Cheese (which I can't find around here. Everyone here in UT sells Colby-Jack, not just plain Colby), Butter Cheese and Farmer Cheese. Mmm-Hmm!

FunnyMan, PrettyPrettyPrincess and LittleDuckling 2 years ago at the Cheese Factory.

Flea Market in Shipshe

Shipshewana Flea Market - The flea market is only open on Tuesdays & Wednesdays, from 8a-5p, between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Make sure to take plenty of water to keep you hydrated. The food there isn't all that great and it's over-priced. The good news is that there are fresh fruit stands. The nearby fast food places are good, but the lines are long on these days. We usually go to the flea market right after we eat breakfast. We pack fruit snacks, PB&J sandwiches and lots of water. We are usually done by 2pm and head out to clean up, relax and find a nice place to sit and eat.

Yoder's Dept Store - Across from the Flea Market is Yoder's Dept Store.  Whether you're looking for fabric, souvenirs (this is where we go for our Shipshe tee souvenir tees), Amish straw hats, pioneer bonnets, or a quick snack, Yoder's Dept Store has it.

Wanawaves Splash Universe (click here)/ had just opened 2 years ago, and we didn't have time to stop and play. However, my sister took her kids there for the weekend and said they had a blast. She highly recommends it.

UPDATE:  This fun waterpark closed its doors in 2013.  Not enough year-round business to stay open.  So sad, it was a great place.

If you're gonna be in Shipshewana anyway - you have to stop here - The Davis Mercantile.  There are several adorable shops (like Millie's Candy) and there is also is carousel for the kids to ride.  Here are a few other of my favorite shops there:

JoJo's Pretzles - (click here for more info) My second cousin, Jo Jo owns this pretzel place with her husband. My favorite is the Honey Whole Wheat pretzel. The smell is enough to drive you crazy. You won't be able to turn them down!

Lolly's Fabric Store - click here for more info ... Jo Jo's Mom, Elsie owns Lolly's Fabrics. Elsie is married to my father's cousin. Anyway - Elsie has lots of specialty fabrics, quilt squares, and quilts for sale. It's right next to the pretzel shop.

YUPs  - (click here for more information)  If you find yourself in need of some of the best ice cream you'll ever taste, be sure to hit up Yup's Dairyland Ice Cream Stand.  Better than any DQ in my opinion.  It's a darling little stand located at the corner of State Roads 13 & 120.  

Where to stay? In "Crystal Valley" there are tons of B&B's, RV parks, Inns, cabins and campgrounds. There are also hotels and motels in abundance in nearby towns.

One of my favorites is to stay is here: Amish Country Log Cabin Hideway   While this location is not in the town of Middlebury, it's in between Middlebury and Goshen and the scenic (but short) drive is gorgeous. This is a lovely cabin that feels like home away from home.  Seriously the best prices around for larger groups too.  (We've stayed here for family reunions before.)  The price cannot be beat, but you usually have to book far in advance.  Email them to see if it's available for you.  They also own two other cabins in Middlebury.

No matter when you plan your trip, plan to relax on Sundays. Most everything is closed on Sundays in both towns. It's safe to say that majority of the locals are church-goin' folks. In my small town alone, there are at least eight different churches- all different religions- and even more if you search the county. (see town link and search for "churches" on the left-hand side.)

Here is a link to my home town. middlebury, indiana We may be small, but we're on the Web!

FunnyMan, PrettyPrettyPrincess and LittleDuckling, getting a "pony-cart" ride from their second cousins.

Thanks for coming "home" with me on our Bloggy Spring Break Trip today! Come Back tomorrow to see where we're headed!